Welcome to my weekly post about my reading journey. The other day I was chatting to Lovely Husband, discussing my enjoyment of reading mainly fiction. I said to him that I probably began to read independently before I started school and must have read thousands of books over the years since then. Because I was a school librarian for such a long time, during that period I read mostly young adult and children’s books, probably ten each week or even more. Since I retired I have changed to reading adult fiction: fantasy, science fiction and thrillers in the main. So, I wonder how many books I have read over my almost 70 years of life?!?

Regular visitors to this blog will be aware that I now log my reading journey on Goodreads. I have a category on there of “After Retirement”, which I started in 2014. There are currently 1054 books in that category. I may have read even more because Goodreads sometimes doesn’t seem to handle re-read books very well.

Anyway, on to last week’s books! I decided to change tack from Juliet Marillier’s work and revisit another of my favourite fantasy authors: David Gemmell. Marillier’s works focus on the lives of female characters, which is very refreshing! Gemmell’s books are the absolute opposite. They are very male character focused with females appearing as mothers, love interest or magical entities. So, it’s not very feminist of me to read his work! But then I read for escapism and I find Gemmell’s flawed “heroes” work very well for that!

I have read a lot of Gemmell’s work in the past but cannot remember exactly which books I have finished. Anyway, I decided on his Rigante series and completed the first two in time for this post…

Here is the blurb for Sword in the Storm…

“Born in the storm that kills his father, Connavar grows up among the mountains of Caer Druagh, where the Rigante tribe dwell in harmony with the land and its gods.

But beyond the border, across the water, an evil force is gathering strength – an unstoppable force that will change the world beyond all recognition.

Haunted by malevolent spirits and hunted by evil men, Connavar sets out on a spectacular mission to defeat this new enemy… But he is a troubled soul, dogged by fate – will he be able to defend his tribe and save his people?”

And this is my response on Goodreads…

Sword in the Storm by David Gemmell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book following the life of a boy from childhood to manhood. Set in a fantasy Celtic world that was very well drawn by Gemmell, the plot was gripping and the characters were interesting and engaging. Gemmell’s heroes have realistic flaws and are more relatable because of these.

I am now going to continue with the rest of the series.

View all my reviews

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Now, on to the second book, Midnight Falcon. This is the blurb…

“They called him Bane the Bastard – though none said it to his face.

Born of treachery, his name a curse, he grew up among the warriors of the Rigante. They valued his skills in war, but they feared the violence in his heart.

And when, as a Wolfshead and Outlaw, he left Rigante lands, they breathed sighs of relief.

But Bane would return, the destiny of the Rigante in his hands, the fate of the world resting on his skills with a blade.”

Here is my short review…

Midnight Falcon by David Gemmell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was another great episode in a great series. Many of the unfinished plot lines from the first book were nicely rounded off and we had glimpses of some of the characters too. The main character this time was quite unlikable at the beginning but I warmed to him as his story unfolded. The scene setting was terrific with masses of action and really interesting and likeable characters. Once again, there were few females, which is my main negative about these books.

View all my reviews

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I am now currently reading my way through the rest of the series and will write about these books next week, all being well.

Happy Reading!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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